Headshot of Jon Dooley

Jon Dooley

Vice President for Student Life and Associate Professor of Education

Department: Student Life

Office and address: Alamance Building, Office 109 2188 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-7220

Brief Biography

As Vice President for Student Life, Jon Dooley provides strategic leadership to 16 departments that support student learning and mentoring, health and well-being, civic engagement, inclusive excellence, multifaith engagement, and the residential campus experience. He also holds an academic appointment as associate professor of education and has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in student affairs, higher education, leadership, and diversity. Before Elon, Jon held administrative roles at Marquette University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a nationally-recognized leader in the student affairs profession, presenting frequently at conferences and serving in leadership roles with professional associations, including membership on the recent NASPA Task Force on the Future of Student Affairs.  Jon earned his B.A. from St. Norbert College, an M.Ed. from James Madison University, and a Ph.D. from Marquette University.

News & Notes

Education

Ph.D. Educational Policy and Leadership, Marquette University;  
Dissertation: The Impact of Service Learning on Student Attitudes Toward Race and Social Justice

M.Ed. Counseling Psychology - College Student Personnel Administration, James Madison University

B.A. History and Social Studies Education, St. Norbert College

Employment History

Elon University
2017 - present, Vice President for Student Life and Associate Professor of Education
2014 - 2017, Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Dean of Campus Life, and Assistant Professor

Marquette University
2008 - 2013, Senior Associate Dean of Student Development, Director of Student Affairs Assessment, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education
2007 - 2008, Associate Dean of Student Development
2000 - 2007, Assistant Dean of Student Development
1998 - 2000, Coordinator for Leadership and Community Development Programs

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1995 - 1998, Program Advisor, Illini Union
 

Courses Taught

Diversity and Social Justice (graduate)

COR110: The Global Experience (undergraduate)

Diverse Students on the College Campus (graduate)

Practicum in Student Affairs Leadership (graduate)

Dynamics of Cross-Cultural Engagement (undergraduate)

Leadership and Communication (undergraduate)

Concert Production and Promotion (undergraduate)

Publications

Dooley, J. & Soria, K.M. (2019). Introduction: Special issue on civic and political engagement. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, (56)5, 475-476.

Dooley, J. (2019). Navigating roles: Administrator, educator, and advocate. In Benjamin, M. & Jessup-Anger, J. (Eds.), Maybe I should…Case studies on ethics for student affairs professionals. New York: Lexington Books.

Dooley, J., & Felten, P. (2018).  Afterword.  In Inkelas, K.K., Jessup-Anger, J., Benjamin, M., & Wawrzynski, M., Living-learning communities that work: A research-based model for design, delivery, and assessment.  Sterling, VA: Stylus.

Barnett, B., & Dooley, J. (2017).  Fostering partnerships across campus to advance equity, inclusion, and global engagement.  Insight Into Diversity, (90)1, 26-28.

Dooley, J., Frigo, R., & Morrison, M. (2017).  Developing Employment Skills in Service and Community Engagement Programs.  In Peck, A. (Ed.), Project CEO (co-curricular experience outcomes): Demonstrating the impact of co-curricular experiences on the skills employers demand.  Washington, DC: NASPA.

Jessup-Anger, J., Dooley, J.C., Leigh, R., Mueller, E., & Dean, K.L. (2016).  Examining the role of the Catholic environment in students’ search for meaning.  Journal of College Student Development, (57)5, 522-537.

Dooley, J., & Shellogg, K. (2016).  Social change model of leadership development: A 20-year legacy and future considerations.  Campus Activities Programming, (49)5, 20-25.

Dooley, J.C. & LePeau, L.A. (2016).  Striving for an inclusive and nurturing campus: Cultivating the intersections.  In Barnett, B. and Felten, P. (Eds.), Campus intersections: A diversity and inclusion handbook for individuals and institutions in higher education.  Sterling, VA: Stylus.

Dooley, J.C. & Burant T.J. (2015).  Lessons from pre-service teachers: Under the surface of service learning.  In Delano-Oriaran, O., Penick-Parks, M., & Fondrie, S. (Eds.), The SAGE sourcebook of service-learning and civic engagement (pp. 325-332).  Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Dooley, J. (2014).  From student activities to worldwide social change.  [Review of the book I believe in zero: Learning from the world’s children, by Caryl M. Stern].  Campus Activities Programming, (47)1, 38-40.

Dooley, J.C. (2010).  Citizenship, voices of democracy.  In Shankman, M.L. & Allen, S.J. (Eds.), Emotionally intelligent leadership facilitator’s guide and Emotionally intelligent leadership student workbook.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Smedick, B., Dooley, J., Arminio, J., Dunkel, N.W., Torres, V., & Walbert, J.E. (2008).  Future directions in student affairs: Panel of experts answers 10 questions about the profession.  Campus Activities Programming, (41)3, 20-28.

Dooley, J.C. & Shellogg, K.M. (2003). Developing curricular and co-curricular leadership programs. In Skipper, T. L., & Argo, R. (Eds.), Involvement in campus activities and the retention of first-year students. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

Editor for Interchange, ACPA Commission IV newsletter (Vol. 27, Nos. 1-3; Vol. 28, No.1).

Presentations

Now-ist Leadership: Navigating AI in Student Affairs Today. NASPA Vice President for Student Affairs Institute panelist, moderated by C. Brady, 2025.

Strategic Planning as a Process to Advance Divisional Excellence.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with J. McElderry and M. Noltemeyer, 2025.

Hospitality and Campus Dining: Underused Partners in Supporting Community, Well-Being, and Success.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with M. Thornton, A. West, and K. Williams, 2024.

Creating Strategic Reviews to Enhance Equity.  NASPA Region 3 Summer Symposium, with J. McElderry and B. Bishopric Patterson, 2023.

Fostering a Campus Culture of Academic / Student Affairs Partnerships.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with S. Jackson, N. Clark, C. Lucia, and M. Benjamin, 2023.

The Art of Living in Student Affairs: Self-Care/Well-Being and the Student Affairs Life.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with M. Benjamin, T. Segar, and H. Clayborne, 2023.

Workforce Wins and Woes: Strategies for Navigating the Evolving Dynamics of the Higher Education Workplace.  NASPA VPSA & AVP Colleague Conversations, with J. Stascavage and P. Alvarez, 2022

Implications of the Compass Report from the NASPA Task Force on the Future of Student Affairs. NASPA Vice President for Student Affairs Institute, with C. Brady, L. Erwin, H. Leming, K. McGinnis, S. Ruzicka, and V. Wilson, 2022.

Adapting Living-Learning Communities to Post-COVID-19 Realities. Council on Independent Colleges and Universities (CIC) Institute for Chief Academic Officers with Chief Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officers, with M. Nabors, B.M. Schwartz, and A. Volety, 2021.

A Day in the Life of a Student Affairs VP.  SACSA Conference, with D. Stansberry and R. Hyatt, 2021.

Looking Toward Tomorrow – Update from and Discussion with The Future of Student Affairs Task Force.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with J. Stascavage, A. Vollmer, C. Brady, L. Hylton, V. Wilson, and E. Yamamura, 2021.

Chasm or Bridgeable Gap: Collaborating Across Student Affairs and Religious Life.  National Association of College and University Chaplains (NACUC) National Conference, with J. Fuller, S.M.K Kugler, & S. Manson, 2019.

Professional Development Opportunities Start at Home: Creating Intentional Experiences on your Own Campus.  Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) Conference, with S.R. Krebs & D. Stansberry, 2018.

Facilitating a Campus-Wide Process to Strengthen Social Climate and Out-of-Class Engagement.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with J. Schmiederer and R. Williams, 2017.

Pathways for Effective Partnerships Between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with B. Barnett, 2016.

Program Review: An Agent of Change.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with R. Hyatt and D. Stansberry, 2016.

Future Agenda for Residential Colleges, Living Learning Communities, and other Academic-Residential Partnerships: Recommendations from a National Think Tank.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with M. Benjamin and J. Stratton, 2016, and Residential Colleges Symposium, with J. Stratton, 2015.

Service Learning for Social Justice in Teacher Education.  International Association for Research in Service Learning and Civic Engagement (IARSLCE) Annual Conference, with B. Delano-Oriaran and S. Fondrie, 2015.

Role and Strategies for Student Affairs as Essential Partners in Institutional Assessment.  North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) Assessment Conference, 2015.

Building an Institutional Culture of Assessment.  Campus Labs webinar, with A. Rice, S. Ronco, and J. Brownell, 2013.

Examining the Role of the Catholic Environment in Students’ Search for Meaning.  Paper presented at the Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference, with J. Jessup-Anger, E. Mueller, R. Leigh, & K. Dean, 2012.

Using Peer Review to Evaluate Program Assessment Efforts: One Strategy; Multiple Gains.  American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) General Education and Assessment 3.0: Next Level Practices Now Conference, with M. Bloom and C. Krueger, 2011.

Enhancing the Legacy of Civic Engagement.  NASPA Annual Meeting, with K. Shellogg and L. Chambers, 2010.

Our Shared Mission of Developing Leaders for Others: An Analysis and Discussion of Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership Catholic Consortium Findings.  JASPA Summer Institute, with K. Dean, 2010.

The NACA/NASPA Assessment and Knowledge Consortium: Using Assessment Data to Inform Practice.  NACA National Convention, with K. VanderLinden and B. Smedick, 2010.

Essentials of Integrated Assessment at a Research University.  NASPA International Assessment and Retention Conference, with M. Bloom, 2009.

Creating and Implementing a Campus-Specific Model of Student Leadership Development.  JASPA Summer Institute, 2010, and with K. Trevey, NASPA Annual Conference, 2009 and NACA National Convention, 2010.

Leading in Times of Change.  NACA National Convention, with R. Young-Hyatt & D. Stansberry, 2009.

Learning Outcomes Assessment and Planning.  NACA National Convention, 2009 and NACA Northern Plains and Northeast Regional Conferences, 2008.

Under the Surface of Service Learning in a Teacher Education Course.  Service Learning Faculty Symposium and Showcase, Marquette University, with T. Burant, 2008.

Mission and Identity: Who Are We and Who Do We Want To Be?  JASPA Annual Meeting, with M. McCarthy & A. Thon, 2008.

Volunteering, Active Citizenship, and Social Justice: Understanding the Developmental Journey.  NACA National Convention, with K. Northup, 2008.

Association Presidents’ Panel: The Future of Student Affairs.  NACA National Convention, with J. Arminio, N. Dunkel, V. Torres, & J. Walbert, 2008.

Incorporating Vocation and Social Change into Leadership Development Programs.  JASPA Summer Institute, with M. Ferwerda, 2005, and NACA National Convention, 2005.

Professional Activities

Coastal Academic Alliance, Chief Student Affairs Officer Council, 2018 – present; chair, 2024-2025

NASPA James E. Scott Academy, 2024 – present

NASPA Top Issues in Student Affairs Advisory Committee – 2025

NASPA Region III Advisory Board, treasurer and executive committee member, 2019 – 2024

NACA Foundation Board of Trustees, member 2018 – 2022; chair 2020-2021

NASPA Future of Student Affairs Task Force, 2020 – 2021

Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice Editorial Board, 2014 – 2022; guest editor for special issue on civic and political engagement, 2019

Consulting Group, NASPA/ACPA Joint Task Force on the Future of Student Affairs, 2008 – 2009

NACA Board of Directors, member 2002 – 2009; chair 2007 – 2008

Chair, NACA National Convention Program Committee, 2002

LeaderShape, co-lead facilitator

Awards

Pillars of the Profession Award, NASPA Foundation, 2025

Founders Award, National Association for Campus Activities (NACA), 2023

Outstanding Lecturer Award, Marquette College of Education, 2011

Honorary Trustee, NACA Foundation, 2004

Young Alumni Award, St. Norbert College, 2003

Distinguished Service Award, Marquette University Division of Student Affairs, 2003

Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Campus Program – Companions in Leadership Internship Program, Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators (JASPA), 2004

Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Campus Program – Student Leadership Summit, JASPA, 2001

Exemplary Practices and Model Programs Award – Student Leadership Summit, National Association for Campus Activities, 2001

Outstanding New Professional Award; American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Commission IV, 1998